“Mary Poppins” Splendid at Westchester Broadway Theatre

BY GEORGE J. DACRE

Mary can fly. Mary can do anything. And she does, in the person of the beautiful Lauren Blackman, in this production of the turn of the 20th Century epic that has enchanted many, many people over the years.

“Mary Poppins” will enchant once more during a run at Westchester Broadway Theatre [WBT] in Elmsford through July 27. On press night, last Thursday, folks enjoyed the great food at WBT and the performance of “Poppins” with Mary flying on to the stage as Bert the chimney sweep (Leo Ash Evens), opened the show with “Chim Chim Cheree.”

From there on it was great fun as Mary took Jane and Michael Banks (Michelle Moughan and Gabriel Reis) under her wing as their nanny, although their father Joseph Banks (Joseph Dellger) disapproved of the high flying nanny who brought the world of fantasy into her charges’ lives. Their mother Winifred Banks (Leisa Mather) tries to convince her husband that Mary is wonderful and the ensuing family tug of war is fun to watch.

“Poppins” takes place in and around the Banks household somewhere in London around the turn of the 20th century and WBT’s costumers sure do a wonderful job depicting those times, with impressive costuming of the many fantasy figures that come into play. All of the great music is there and wonderfully done with an orchestra led by Leo P. Carusone, including “Jolly Holiday,” “Cherry Tree Lane,” “A Spoonful of Sugar,” “Supercalifragilisticexpialidicious,” “Let’s Go Fly a Kite,” “A Man Has Dreams,” “Anything Can Happen” and many more.

Then there is the fantastic list of colorful characters that are part of the production including Admiral Bloom (Peter Cormican), Miss Andrew (Jan Neuberger), Bird Woman (Laura Cable) and a wonderful ensemble of singers and dancers who are choreographed so expertly by director and choreographer Richard Stafford, aided by Jonathan Stahl. The costuming and set design make “Poppins” one of the most beautiful productions ever at WBT with fantastic lighting and stage management.

This is a flawless production that is enjoyed by people of all ages and forever will be. I rate “Mary Poppins” at WBT Four Stars out of Four!!!! Tickets at 914-592-2222 or broadwaytheatre.com.